Knee Mail: Bob May (A Christmas Conversation)

Dec.20,2011

Note from CSE:
This blog post was written December 28, 2010, by Dr. Hovind. We delayed in publishing it, and decided instead to post it for Christmas this year.
Interestingly enough, there recently has been a buzz in the news regarding the story ofRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Concern has been raised as to the nature of the story, and the presence of bullying. The following post is about the author of the original story, and it’s purpose to encourage others. (You can read about the current issue of “bullying” by clicking here.)

KH: Hey Lord, these are sure depressing times for a lot of folks. Many are wondering why You allow this and what good can come from it all.

GOD: I know, Son. I have everything under control. My children produce great things when they are under stress. They don’t usually see it as a good thing at the time though. I have plans for My children that will make them forget all these problems once they see it from My side (Rom. 8:17-28). For now, maybe if you go talk with Bob it will help you see a tiny part of the picture. Let’s go back about sixty years to Chicago and maybe Bob’s story can help you understand… There he is, Son. Go talk with him a few minutes.

KH: OK, Lord… Excuse me, sir, the Lord told me to ask you about your story. Do you have a minute to tell me?

Robert L. May AKA “Bob”: Sure! Have a seat. I love telling my story. It’s a miracle!

As a boy I was pretty small and was always picked on by others. I was different and just never fit in anywhere so I lived a pretty lonely childhood. Looking back I was probably a little bitter at God for making me different. Nobody really liked me or let me play with them. When I graduated from college, I was lucky enough to get a job as a copywriter for Montgomery Wards during the depression. Life was hard for everyone in those days! We struggled and were making it OK when my wife got cancer. That wiped us out financially! She died a few days before Christmas in 1938. My poor little four-year-old daughter was devastated! She didn’t understand why she couldn’t have a normal family and a normal mommy. We lived in a tiny apartment in the slums of Chicago. I couldn’t even afford to buy her a Christmas present that year.

KH: Wow! That’s bad! So what did you do?

Bob: I gave her what I could — a story. I wanted her to understand that God can take our tragedies and use it for good. I made up a story of an animal that was different from all the rest and nobody wanted to play with him. He was sad too. Then, one day it all worked together for good (Rom. 8:28) when the very thing that made him different became a blessing instead!

KH: What animal was that?

Bob: His name was Rudolph. He was a reindeer with a bright shiny nose and nobody liked him. I told her the story over and over. She never got tired of hearing it! I tried to make it better each time. She didn’t know it but it was really my life story told through that little deer. I put it in book form for her and the manager at work asked if he could see it. He liked it and offered to buy it for a nominal price. I sold it to Wards and they ended up printing and selling over six million copies!

KH: Too bad you sold the rights to it! I’d love to get one of those copies. Do you ever wish you had not sold it?

Bob: Well, yes and no. They made a fortune that’s for sure but when a major publisher wanted the story, Wards gave the rights back to me! I love my boss and my company! They didn’t have to do that but they did.

KH: I’ve never heard of that either! That was a really great thing for them to do! So, what happened?

Bob: The publisher made a deal with me and sold millions! I became very wealthy! I got remarried and my brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song about Rudolph. Bing Crosby wasn’t interested but Gene Autry, the singing cowboy made a recording and it sold more copies than any other Christmas song ever except White Christmas.

KH: That’s amazing! That song and story has helped lots of boys and girls who are different feel like they are special and can be used too!

Bob: That’s exactly why I did it. It worked beyond my wildest dreams. If I had enjoyed a normal childhood and tragedy had not struck my life so many times, I probably never would have written it and would be a poor copywriter at Wards today.

Bob: I sure couldn’t see it while it was happening but looking back… I am sure glad God sent that time of sorrow and suffering.

KH: Thanks for the story, Bob. That is very encouraging!

Bob: You are most welcome.

GOD: Let’s go home, Son… does that help?

KH: Yes, Lord. It sure does. Moses couldn’t see You until You had passed by (Ex. 33:22). I sure see Your work better after You pass by in my life, too. Are you going to use my prison time and trial to do something that will help encourage others, Lord?

GOD: I always do, Son, if you qualify under Romans 8:28. Just love Me and stay in the middle of My purpose for your life and I’ll work it all out for good. Go walk a few laps Son, I’m also working through you on a few of those men in there. I’ve got your back.

10 Comments

I am crying! Thank You so much for this! It is wonderful to know that through all the trials we can still hang on to our Faith! It’s best to be broken in a way that is to be humbled and bowed over toward Yahshua than to be broken into pieces by the Rock Who is Yahshua! I so thank you for this testimony! The bullies will have their time but there will be an end to them also. Kids in high schools need to hear this, so many lose faith and turn to such awful choices! This could be anybody that we know! May Yahshua protect all those who are in despair!!! Love to you Kent and Bob and Shalom! We never forget you!!!

My Brother, your stories, ministry and blogs are very uplifting the LORD sure is good to those who follow him. I am truely blessed to have seen your blogs and videos. My friend I hope you will continue to follow the LORD in what ever his will and I do pray his will is that you see your family real soon outside the prison gates. I was reasontly able to show some family and co-workers your creation seminars and by brother is intrested in hearing more about the bible because of your videos. Thank you for that I have been praying for him a long time. GOD Bless you Dr. Hovind and have a Merry Christmas.

Some of us may be alone, not by choice but because we are outcasts. Why? Some of us grew up being loners. There is the desire to be with others. However for whatever reason others do not want to be with that that loner. Acceptance does not always come where a person wants it to. Perhaps when speaking others will misunderstand what it is we are trying to say. Is there ever going to be a day when I will have the company I need and not be so lonely. Then maybe I am in this to understand the lonely. So I will develop a heart for those that are similar. Then when I see those who are similar who need a light, I can join in and help them out. I can be the light because I know what they have gone through. I can understand and help them brighten up. Thank God for the story of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. I feel it truly is the story of my life.

To night, I saw a video of explorationfilms..
While I was watching it, I heard a men (I think Eric)
say ‘you can buy the dvd a drdino.com’
With in a split second I remembered the days when i watch your video’s from night till morning.
Many times I wonderded how you are and how long God is keeping you in prison. I always thought God must have sent Kent on a mission there, to win souls for and with Him. I am happy to read that that’s one of the blessed things you are doing there..

I also have been locked-up, in South-America.
So in some way I think I can relate to how you sometimes might feel.

Eventhough I escaped with a wrecked ID-card that normaly could be used only in Europe, the three months I was in prison, were sometimes like hell..
And through all the hurt and the pain, the smiles and laughter, God always said: “Go and sin no more! You are a free man!”
In those days I wondered: How can I be a freeman if I’m locked between these four walls Lord??? After the Lord passed me, I saw the bigger picture. Prisson time was for me a time to repent and to get to know God better. He took me on an advenger and I think thats what he does with you.

Hi, i was hoping someone could give me the email address or something to contact Dr Hovind, he is a wonderful teachern and so uplifting,or could have an address where i can write him a letter?
thanks for anyone who can help thanks!

My wife and I have for many years now, been inspired by Dr.Hovinds teachings on Creation especially pertaining to Gods word(The Truth). We have been deeply grieved by this whole debacle and would like the entire Hovind family and Dr. Hovind in particular, to know that you are constantly in our prayers and thoughts.Please hang in there with the Lord and don’t allow this corrupt world system and thinking get the better of you. I want to assure, the Lord has got something massive and wonderful to come out of this injustice. Take care and remember, the sun sets on the horizon, not at your feet. Hold heads up proudly for God and His powerful work. Love you lots and may the Lord bless you all for your loyalty to Him. Mike and Jenny Kohl. Cape Town, South Africa.